Animation

[MikeM]

I'd like to animate a series of shapes by moving them according to a
specified (but changeable) series of steps, and I'd like to specify the steps
in an Excel file (with column headings = Time, X1, Y1, X2, Y2, etc.). How do
I link the Excel file to the shapes in Visio 2002? Is it easier in the latest
version of Visio?

TIA,
Mike

 

[Scott]

Mike,

Nearly everything about linking to external data is easier is Visio 2007
Professional -- in fact, that's one of the key areas of added value in 2007
Pro. (Note that the data linking enhancements are only in 2007 Pro and not in
2007 Standard.) The couple of hundred dollars you spend to upgrade will be
well worth it.

Two very helpful articles if you want to do the linking in VBA:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa395290.aspx
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa395291.aspx

If you want to do it from the Visio UI:
http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC101977211033

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

Graham Wideman added a chapter to his last book, "Visio 2003 Developer's
Survival Pack" on animation. Anyone serious about Visio development should
try and get a hold of this book. It goes beyond the content of DVS
(Developing Visio Solutions), the official book on Visio development.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm
Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm

 

[MikeM]

Thanks, Scott. That's what I was hoping would be the case!

Mike

 

[MikeM]

I have that book (in fact, two copies!), but haven't looked at it recently.
thanks for the tip.

Mike

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

Two copies? Graham will be happy.

The chapter is chapter 31.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm
Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm